Sonny Dykes on Jared Goff’s small hands: It’s just talk

An edited transcript of a conversation with Cal football coach Sonny Dykes:

Q: Do you think (Jared) Goff’s supposedly small hands have caused him to drop in the draft?

A: Hey, look, there’s a long time between the end of the season and the NFL draft and you’ve got to find something to talk about. So small hands seems as good as anything else.

Q: I think familiarity breeds contempt. In other words, the more you see somebody, the more you’re going to look for reasons to criticize.

A: Yeah. Plus, a lot of it, too, is there is a lot of posturing going on between teams, who’s drafting and in what order, so there’s a lot of misinformation. Look, I think the hand thing they’ve got to find something to criticize Jared about, and it’s certainly not going to be his character, and it’s certainly not going to be his play, so they’ve got to find something.

Q: Last one on this: When you recruited him, did that come up (his small hands)?

A: No. We were more interested that when he threw the ball, he threw it to our guys and not the other team.

Cal football coach Sonny Dykes is a big Jared Goff fan.

Cal football coach Sonny Dykes is a big Jared Goff fan.

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

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Cal football coach Sonny Dykes is a big Jared Goff fan.

Cal football coach Sonny Dykes is a big Jared Goff fan.

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

Sonny Dykes on Jared Goff’s small hands: It’s just talk

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Q: You think he could start next year and be effective?

A: Well, I think a lot of it depends on the style of offense and what he’s asked to do and how much patience they have with a young quarterback. I mean, certainly he has the tools. He has the work ethic, the intelligence, the arm strength, the size; I mean, all of that stuff. But so much of being a successful quarterback is playing in a system that plays to your strengths and hides your weaknesses. And that’s what coaching is, figuring out what your guys do well and then strengthening their weaknesses as they go along.

Q: Do you think he has enough durability, strength and explosion in that chest to withstand the rigors of an NFL season?

A: Yeah, one thing you have to keep in mind is we’re talking about a kid who’s only three years removed from high school. I have no doubt that by the time Jared reports for an NFL team he’ll be stronger, and eventually he’ll go from 215 (pounds) to 245. He’s bigger than you think he is, and when you see him in person he has a bigger frame than most think. He’s added a substantial amount of weight since the end of the season, and he’ll continue to do that.

Q: Let me ask you about the 49ers. They have the seventh pick in the draft, and given Goff’s skill set and Chip Kelly’s offense, do you think that’s a good fit?

A: I think it’s interesting because Chip’s offense has changed quite a bit since he first went to Philadelphia. Chip’s a very smart guy and very smart football coach, so what I think Chip would do is figure out what Jared can do and build an offense around Jared’s strengths. I think he’ll play to his strengths and not ask him to do things he can’t do.

Q: Two of the top defensive guys in the draft are (UCLA’s) Myles Jack and (Oregon’s) DeForest Buckner. Who do you think will be more successful at the next level?

A: I think Myles Jack is a pretty special player. Anytime you can be that successful playing linebacker and then transition to running back and be that successful, you’re talking about a kid with a ridiculous amount of talent. And Buckner is an incredible talent as well. He can play multiple positions, which is so valuable in today’s game. I think both are going to be really good pros.